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Brny11 · 31 May 2019, 02:21 AM

Hey All!

Need your expertise. RSC changed my bracket configuration as I put more links in 6 side as I like it (they REALLY have standards). Tried all the common methods of loosening loctite unsuccessfully. Hairdryer, hot water, etc. can’t get the links loose.

Any suggestions or take to AD? Or watchmaker?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

johnjm · 31 May 2019, 02:24 AM

Take it back to the AD

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

Navarino · 31 May 2019, 02:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brny11

Hey All!

Need your expertise. RSC changed my bracket configuration as I put more links in 6 side as I like it (they REALLY have standards). Tried all the common methods of loosening loctite unsuccessfully. Hairdryer, hot water, etc. can’t get the links loose.

Any suggestions or take to AD? Or watchmaker?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Did you buy the watch from a local AD/have a good relationship with that AD? They should be able to do this for you, including re-applying the loctite.

SearChart · 31 May 2019, 02:26 AM

Short exposure to a jet flame from a butane lighter is what works best to loosen up loctite.

Brny11 · 31 May 2019, 02:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SearChart

Short exposure to a jet flame from a butane lighter is what works best to loosen up loctite.

Thanks, is it odd that I love the idea of torching my Rolex? Haha love pushing it to the limits! Point the flame at the screw, or no specific right or wrong way to do it?

trebor · 31 May 2019, 02:44 AM

Put a drop of Lacquer thinner on the screw, wait 15 minutes and try to unscrew again.
If no thinner, use Automatic Transmission Fluid instead.

SearChart · 31 May 2019, 03:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brny11

Thanks, is it odd that I love the idea of torching my Rolex? Haha love pushing it to the limits! Point the flame at the screw, or no specific right or wrong way to do it?

Point it at the side where the thread is, hold it for a few seconds and then carefully try to loosen the screw.

RichM · 31 May 2019, 03:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SearChart

Point it at the side where the thread is, hold it for a few seconds and then carefully try to loosen the screw.

Hey Bas, not to hijack the OP’s thread but can you use the flame tip on any metal, ie SS Gold and Platinum? Thanks

m j b · 31 May 2019, 03:46 AM

Gosh, I'd be careful with a flame. I recently had to do the same on my Omega, who go nuts with the locktite from the factory. I used a heat gun, which is basically a hairdryer on steroids.

I used the same heat gun when repairing my phone (needed it to remove glued-on back) and it worked, although I did kind of melt the phone a bit.

SearChart · 31 May 2019, 03:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich Mickol

Hey Bas, not to hijack the OP’s thread but can you use the flame tip on any metal, ie SS Gold and Platinum? Thanks

Yes Sir, perfectly fine.

joli160 · 31 May 2019, 03:59 AM

I use a lighter and always burn my fingers touching the bracelet, at least the screw pins comes out easy.
The links get black but that washes off without problem.

KBM · 31 May 2019, 04:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SearChart

Yes Sir, perfectly fine.

Bas, another question since we're picking on your brains today: is there an average amount of time after which the exposure of the metal to the flame may leave stains or other marks on the bracelet's links? Do you let the flame actually touch the metal, or just get it close?

Finally, is there a difference, in this regard, between 904L steel and 316?

Thanks much, my friend.

RJRJRJ · 31 May 2019, 04:37 AM

I've never had too much trouble with the screws, but whenever a screw seemed a bit stuck I use the "tighten it more and then try and loosen it" method.

Wedders · 31 May 2019, 04:41 AM

Insert the screwdriver and heat the blade with a flame which in turn heats the screw.

SearChart · 31 May 2019, 04:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kauebm

Bas, another question since we're picking on your brains today: is there an average amount of time after which the exposure of the metal to the flame may leave stains or other marks on the bracelet's links? Do you let the flame actually touch the metal, or just get it close?

Finally, is there a difference, in this regard, between 904L steel and 316?

Thanks much, my friend.

Touching or no touching doesn't matter, just make sure it is a hot blue flame and not a soft flame as that will leave soot.

Just don't overdo it, 3-4sec maximum, making the metal too hot can definitely stain it.
Haven't noticed a difference between 904 or 316 from just doing this

SearChart · 31 May 2019, 04:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wedders

Insert the screwdriver and heat the blade with a flame which in turn heats the screw.

This makes no sense, the heat must be very very hot for it to travel through and still be hot enough to loosen the loctite.
Just apply a flame directly to the screw thread side, which is what Rolex teaches their watchmakers and AD staff.

KBM · 31 May 2019, 04:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SearChart

Touching or no touching doesn't matter, just make sure it is a hot blue flame and now a soft flame as that will leave soot.

Just don't overdo it, 3-4sec maximum, making the metal too hot can definitely stain it.
Haven't noticed a difference between 904 or 316 from just doing this

Thanks a lot for sharing your knowledge and experience, Bas!

Brny11 · 31 May 2019, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SearChart

Short exposure to a jet flame from a butane lighter is what works best to loosen up loctite.

Thanks a lot!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Boaters · 31 May 2019, 10:03 AM

Personally, I don't use Loctite If you snug up your screws they very rarely come loose. But as a safety factor, I check mine every month never had an issue

RichM · 31 May 2019, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SearChart

Yes Sir, perfectly fine.

Thank you

Annan · 31 May 2019, 10:55 AM

Before you heat anything try simply turning the screw to tighten (firmly) and then back the other direction to loosen. Sometimes this works to break things loose.

Brny11 · 31 May 2019, 11:10 AM

$5 butane torch lighter... was timid at first, then gave it a 5 count. Worked PERFECTLY with no marks after. Used a simple cleaning cloth folded multiple times to hold the hot steel and a basic (cheap) screw driver took the screw right out!

Quick bath with dish soap and back on the wrist.

Boaters · 31 May 2019, 11:45 AM

Glad it worked out without a bunch of marred screws

sillo · 31 May 2019, 12:41 PM

A brulee torch works great.

ippon20 · 31 May 2019, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brny11

Thanks, is it odd that I love the idea of torching my Rolex? Haha love pushing it to the limits! Point the flame at the screw, or no specific right or wrong way to do it?

Keep the flame off the steel....otherwise you will get carbon build up. I usually hold it there till I can smell the loctite burn away. It's a very distinct smell.

Beckster · 1 June 2019, 02:31 AM

Had this issue a while back. Too chicken to use the flame. Placed the link in a Mug of hot water instead for a couple of minutes. Worked for me.

31 May 2019, 02:21 AM	#1
Brny11 "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Real Name: Brian Location: Florida Posts: 2,460	Loctite Help Hey All! Need your expertise. RSC changed my bracket configuration as I put more links in 6 side as I like it (they REALLY have standards). Tried all the common methods of loosening loctite unsuccessfully. Hairdryer, hot water, etc. can’t get the links loose. Any suggestions or take to AD? Or watchmaker? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

31 May 2019, 02:24 AM	#2
johnjm "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: South Africa Posts: 1,152	Take it back to the AD Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk __________________ 114300;116710;116500;114060;126710;5500;6084

31 May 2019, 03:46 AM	#9
m j b "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Real Name: Michael Location: RTP, NC, USA Watch: ♕& Ω Posts: 5,215	Gosh, I'd be careful with a flame. I recently had to do the same on my Omega, who go nuts with the locktite from the factory. I used a heat gun, which is basically a hairdryer on steroids. I used the same heat gun when repairing my phone (needed it to remove glued-on back) and it worked, although I did kind of melt the phone a bit. __________________ Enjoy life - it has an expiration date. Disclaimer: Please note that the avatar is not an accurate representation of how I look. The camera adds 10 pounds...

31 May 2019, 03:59 AM	#11
joli160 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: NL Watch: Yachtmaster Posts: 14,757	I use a lighter and always burn my fingers touching the bracelet, at least the screw pins comes out easy. The links get black but that washes off without problem. __________________ Day Date 18238, Yachtmaster 16622, Deepsea 116660, Submariner 116619, SkyD 326935, DJ 178271, DJ 69158, Yachtmaster 169622, GMT 116713LN, GMT 126711.

31 May 2019, 10:55 AM	#21
Annan "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Real Name: Ron Location: Arizona, USA Watch: 116233 Posts: 3,180	Before you heat anything try simply turning the screw to tighten (firmly) and then back the other direction to loosen. Sometimes this works to break things loose. __________________ *so many Rolexes.....so little time*

31 May 2019, 02:44 AM	#6
trebor "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Florida Posts: 110	Put a drop of Lacquer thinner on the screw, wait 15 minutes and try to unscrew again. If no thinner, use Automatic Transmission Fluid instead.

31 May 2019, 04:37 AM	#13
RJRJRJ "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: USA Posts: 3,495	I've never had too much trouble with the screws, but whenever a screw seemed a bit stuck I use the "tighten it more and then try and loosen it" method.

31 May 2019, 04:41 AM	#14
Wedders "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Somewhere in U.K. Posts: 507	Insert the screwdriver and heat the blade with a flame which in turn heats the screw.

31 May 2019, 10:03 AM	#19
Boaters 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: May 2015 Real Name: Mike Location: Pacific Northwest Watch: 116610LV 16710 SD Posts: 10,653	Personally, I don't use Loctite If you snug up your screws they very rarely come loose. But as a safety factor, I check mine every month never had an issue

31 May 2019, 11:10 AM	#22
Brny11 "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Real Name: Brian Location: Florida Posts: 2,460	$5 butane torch lighter... was timid at first, then gave it a 5 count. Worked PERFECTLY with no marks after. Used a simple cleaning cloth folded multiple times to hold the hot steel and a basic (cheap) screw driver took the screw right out! Quick bath with dish soap and back on the wrist.

31 May 2019, 11:45 AM	#23
Boaters 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: May 2015 Real Name: Mike Location: Pacific Northwest Watch: 116610LV 16710 SD Posts: 10,653	Glad it worked out without a bunch of marred screws

31 May 2019, 12:41 PM	#24
sillo "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Real Name: Sean Location: NY Watch: 5 Digit Posts: 2,840	A brulee torch works great. __________________ 14060 \| 16570 \| 16600 \| 16700 \| 16800 \| 79260 @TheGMTHand

1 June 2019, 02:31 AM	#26
Beckster "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Singapore Watch: 16710 BLRO Posts: 836	Had this issue a while back. Too chicken to use the flame. Placed the link in a Mug of hot water instead for a couple of minutes. Worked for me. __________________ Rolex Only Please

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